| Cable and satellite services are two systems that | | | | to North America. Subsequently, other |
| provide television programs and subscriptions with | | | | communication satellites were launched into orbit |
| a wider range of channels that include | | | | for broadcasting and delivering television signals to |
| subscriptions or pay-per-view. Cable service has | | | | ground downlink stations which were responsible |
| limited coverage compared to satellite service but | | | | for providing services to television consumers. |
| is more accessible and affordable to many | | | | Currently, direct satellite links are available using |
| television consumers. Satellite service, on the | | | | portable satellite discs and services which are now |
| other hand, transmit signals using communications | | | | affordable to many individuals. |
| satellites. This is often used by most broadcasting | | | | Cable and satellite services fill the need of the |
| companies and wealthy individuals who can | | | | viewing public to learn more about other cultures |
| purchase or rent the services of satellites. | | | | and current events from other countries other |
| However, new technology has now produced | | | | than theirs. These have widened opportunities of |
| satellite discs that are both portable and | | | | many individuals to simultaneously learn and watch |
| affordable. This can also be accessed through | | | | what is happening around the globe such as crucial |
| cable companies in different parts of the globe. | | | | events happening in war-stricken countries, natural |
| Cable service or television can transmit signals | | | | disasters and the shocking moments brought |
| using radio frequencies through fixed optical fibers | | | | about by 9/11. Cable and satellite services have |
| or coaxial cables. Before cable services, the most | | | | somehow bridged the gap between nations and |
| common way to watch television and receive | | | | provided prospects to help each other out in |
| transmission was by using a television antenna. | | | | times of distress brought about by disasters |
| The origin of cable can be traced back to the | | | | made by both men and nature. These are a pair |
| abbreviation CATV which means Cable TV but | | | | of technological wonders which when used |
| originally stood for Community Antenna Television. | | | | effectively can have more impact and |
| This started cable television in 1948 and spread | | | | advantages in many aspects of the economy and |
| throughout North America, Europe and East Asia. | | | | peace around the world. |
| Nowadays, most parts of the globe enjoy cable | | | | There are hundreds of cable and satellite services |
| services which are provided locally or | | | | providers worldwide which are accessible by most |
| internationally. | | | | viewing public such as Cable TV Hong Kong, Cable |
| Satellite service, on the other hand, transmit | | | | TV Wasaka Obama in Japan, Foxtel, Telenet in |
| signals using communication satellites which can | | | | Belgium, Cablevision in the USA and Canada, Net |
| provide a wider range of channels and other | | | | Brasil, SkyCable in the Philippines, Time Warner, |
| services locally and from other countries abroad. | | | | UPC Ireland and Romania, Arab Digital Distribution, |
| This technology first took root in 1962 through | | | | Astro, Sky Digital, NOVA Greece, and Dish |
| the first satellite television signal coming from | | | | Network, among many others. |
| Europe using the Telstar satellite then going over | | | | |